The shape and cut of a diamond shape have an impact on how well light is reflected back to the eye. This can be a significant factor in determining how much sparkle and brilliance a diamond will have.
GIA offers a Cut grade to describe how closely a diamond comes to having an ideal facet pattern for dispersing light. This is an important consideration for ensuring that your diamond has the most amount of fire and brilliance possible.
Round
The Round diamond shape is one of the most popular styles and types of diamond cuts in fine jewelry. Its fire and brilliance make it a perfect choice for engagement rings, necklaces, and more.
Cut is the most important of the 4 Cs, and it makes a huge difference in a diamond’s sparkle. The crown and pavilion angles, size and placement of facets, and polish all contribute to how a diamond reflects light.
Color is also important for a diamond’s appearance. The GIA’s color-grading scale starts with D (colorless) and goes up to Z, with yellow tint moving higher as the diamond moves away from white.
Marquise
The marquise diamond shape has a vintage appeal but is also adaptable to modern designs. It’s also one of the more popular diamond shapes in today’s market as it looks great in any style.
While the marquise cut isn’t as brilliant as a round diamond, it still has very good sparkle. It’s ideal for engagement rings as it maximizes the carat weight and makes the stone look bigger than it is.
The length to width ratio for a nicely proportioned marquise should be between 1.85 and 2.0. A lower ratio will result in a squat looking diamond and a higher ratio will make it appear too long.
Emerald
Emerald cut diamonds are a popular choice amongst couples looking for an alternative to a round cut. They offer a distinctive elegance in a solitaire, are beautiful as bold centerpieces in elaborate halo and pave settings, and are a classic look in vintage designs.
Emerald cut diamonds are rectangular shaped and classically have a length to width ratio between 1.30 and 1.50. However, some people may prefer a slightly longer or squarish shape.
Pear
A unique hybrid of the oval and round cuts, the pear diamond is a popular choice for women looking to flatter their fingers. These diamonds are often paired with halo settings to help add extra sparkle.
A well-cut pear diamond should have soft curves and a centered point. Symmetry is very important in these types of fancy-shaped stones as it will ensure the diamond has an even, elegant look.
Aside from symmetry, there are other aspects to consider when choosing a pear cut diamond. Some buyers may be perfectly comfortable with a diamond that shows inclusions that are not visible to the naked eye, while others insist on a more technically flawless appearance for maximum perfection.
Heart
Heart diamonds are an incredibly rare cut that requires a lot of skill to create. As a result, they’re often more expensive than other fancy diamond shapes.
To get the most from your heart-shaped diamond, be sure to choose a gem that’s in good quality. GIA recommends looking for a diamond with a table of between 56 and 66 percent.
A diamond’s length to width ratio (L/W) is also important. Look for one that is between 0.90 and 1.10 – this ensures that the facets are balanced across all of the curved areas.
Cushion
The Cushion diamond shape is a great choice if you want a round or oval cut but would like to give your ring a more vintage look. It can be styled in a number of ways with simple changes in facet structure, ratio or ring setting.
There are many different variations of this cut to choose from, so it’s important to make sure you get one that is perfect for your taste.
Conclusion
Another major aesthetic decision is whether you prefer a square or rectangular shape. While rectangles have the advantage of appearing larger for their carat weight, they can also be more expensive than square stones.
